TCSAR Releases 2026 Midyear Rescue Report

Jackson, Wyo. — This past winter, Teton County Search & Rescue responded to fewer backcountry emergencies than the previous three winters, but also confronted several challenging rescue scenarios that demonstrated the volunteers’ commitment to training, professionalism and teamwork.

TCSAR volunteers conduct a short-haul training session. Photo by Dirk Collins

These details and more are included in TCSAR’s recently released 2026 Midyear Review & Rescue Report, a 32-page booklet published twice each year documenting the team’s rescues, backcountry safety programming, and community outreach.

From December 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, TCSAR received 45 calls for service. Over the same time period last year the team had 62 calls. Snowmobilers made the most rescue calls this winter with 19. Four of these snowmobile accidents tragically ended with fatalities.

Conversely, there were relatively few ski– and snowboard-related rescues. Three calls came from the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort backcountry, zero from the Grand Targhee backcountry, and eight on Teton Pass, which included one fatality. Local rescuers received zero ski-related calls for the entire winter in Grand Teton National Park. The one call that came from the park was for an injured climber on the Middle Teton, a rescue handled by the Jenny Lake Rangers with an assist from the TCSAR’s aviation team.

“These past six months have been a busy and productive time for our team,” Anthony Stevens, TCSAR Chief Advisor and volunteer since 2015, writes in the report’s opening letter. “We have continued to strengthen our operational readiness through training, collaboration, and experience in the field. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting partner agencies, or assisting members of our community during difficult moments, our personnel have consistently demonstrated the values that define this organization: commitment, teamwork, and service above self.”

The report also announces a new logo for Backcountry Zero, the preventative search and rescue programming from the TCSAR Foundation. Backcountry Zero was launched in 2015 to help the local community prioritize backcountry safety and preparedness. The new logo makes it more recognizable as a key initiative of TCSAR. Through accessible and effective education and outreach, the Backcountry Zero program strives to create a positive shift in backcountry culture while reducing SAR-related incidents.

Rescue Reports can be picked up at participating businesses all over Jackson Hole, and downloaded for free at TetonCountySAR.org/rescue-reports.

Media Contact: Matt Hansen, TCSAR Foundation Communications Director: matt@tetoncountysar.org, (970) 846-7766

The Fine Line Podcast Returns for Ninth Season

Jackson, Wyo. — Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation is excited to announce the upcoming release of Season 9 of The Fine Line podcast. 

“Ride the Tram, Ski the ‘Shoe” drops on Thursday, May 29. Listeners will be able to hear the show at 2 p.m. on KHOL 89.1 FM, as well as stream it on all major podcast platforms.

The episode explores a backcountry ski accident from May 18, 2024, when locals Mark Fellermann and Tanner Flanagan attempted to descend Horseshoe Couloir, a steep, north-facing line outside the boundary of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. During a mandatory rappel on their descent, Fellermann fell about 1,500 vertical feet over a cliff band and frozen snow, sustaining serious injuries.

Teton County Search & Rescue volunteer Brook Yeomans, a special education teacher who has been with TCSAR since 2021, was part of the crew that was called to respond. Yeomans explains in the episode how this rescue went to the heart of why he decided to become a volunteer in the first place.

“Ride the Tram, Ski the ‘Shoe” is the first of six episodes in Season 9 and the show’s 60th episode overall. The new season includes stories about two separate climbing accidents on the Grand Teton, an all-night rescue of an injured hunter deep in grizzly country, a candid conversation about how mental health is a backcountry safety issue, and a ‘slam dunk’ snowmobile rescue that turned into an epic all-nighter for everyone involved.

After the May 29 premiere, a new episode will come out every two weeks.

Produced by TCSAR Foundation's Backcountry Zero initiative, The Fine Line uses storytelling to illustrate how accidents happen and what people can do to prevent accidents in their own adventures. Each episode brings together the perspectives from both rescuer and rescuee, and is often the first time they've met after an accident. The result is a touching, honest reflection of what happens during a backcountry emergency.

“We are so grateful for everyone who comes on The Fine Line to share their experiences so that the rest of us can learn,” says Matt Hansen, the show’s host, producer, and communications director for TCSAR Foundation. “These open and honest conversations help create awareness and empathy in our backcountry culture, and truly show that accidents can happen to anyone, no matter their experience level. We also hope to elevate listeners’ understanding of how our first responders solve complex problems to help someone who’s been lost or injured in the backcountry.”

The Fine Line features music from former longtime Jackson residents Anne and Pete Sibley, Victor, Idaho-based musician Ben Winship, and original cover art by Jen Reddy. The show’s editing and sound are by Melinda Binks.

Season 9 of The Fine Line is sponsored by Roadhouse Brewing Co. and by Arc’teryx. The show can be heard every Thursday at 2 p.m. on KHOL 89.1 FM, and downloaded for free wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about the show and find its entire archive at BackcountryZero.com.

Mira Ahora: Videos from Spanish-language Avalanche Awareness Night

On January 28, 2025, a consortium of concerned residents in Jackson came together to present the valley’s first Spanish-language Avalanche Awareness Night at the Virginian Lodge. The event was recorded, with each presentation now available to watch via the TCSAR YouTube channel.

The goal of the event was to increase access to essential safety information for community members for whom Spanish is their preferred language. Based on local school demographics, an estimated 40 percent of county residents have a home language other than English, and the majority of those are Spanish-speakers.

With the outdoors such an important part of the Jackson Hole culture, it’s important that backcountry safety information is accessible to all.

"Language access is one of the important first steps in ensuring that everyone in our community has the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions in the backcountry,” said Piper Worthington, a language access advocate and event co-coordinator. “This event will be educational, but also a celebration of local people and organizations who have changed the ways we think about who is represented in the outdoor industry."

Below, TCSAR volunteer Ryan Mertaugh discusses how to mitigate your risk while traveling in avalanche terrain. This is just one of several presentations done entirely in Spanish.

Thanks to all of the presenters, the Virginian Lodge, Camino Conmingo, Coombs Outdoors, Exum, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides, the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, and TCSAR for making this event possible. All videos were recorded and edited by Garrett LeRoy.